Original Research
Interventionalists’ perceptions on a culture of radiation protection
Submitted: 29 October 2017 | Published: 19 March 2018
About the author(s)
André Rose, Department of Community Health, University of the Free State, South AfricaKerry E. Uebel, Department of Internal Medicine, University of the Free State, South Africa
William I. Rae, Department of Medical Physics, University of the Free State, South Africa
Abstract
Background: Occupational exposure to ionising radiation poses potential health risks to radiation workers unless adequate protection is in place. The catheterisation laboratory is a highly contextualised workplace with a distinctive organisational and workplace culture.
Objective: This study was conducted to understand the culture of radiation protection (CRP).
Methods: This study was a qualitative study and data were collected through 30 in-depth and 6 group interviews with 54 purposively selected South African interventionalists (interventional radiologists and cardiologists). The participants included a diversity of interventionalists who varied in sex, geographic location and years of experience with fluoroscopy. The transcribed data were analysed thematically using a deductive and inductive approach.
Results: ‘Culture of radiation protection’ emerged as a complex theme that intersected with other themes: ‘knowledge and awareness of radiation’, ‘radiation safety practice’, ‘personal protective equipment (PPE) utilisation’ and ‘education and training’.
Conclusion: Establishing and sustaining a CRP provides an opportunity to mitigate the potentially detrimental health effects of occupational radiation exposure. Education and training are pivotal to establishing a CRP. The time to establish a culture of radiation in the catheterisation laboratory is now.
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Crossref Citations
1. Personal dosimeter utilisation among South African interventionalists
André Rose, Kerry Uebel, William Ian Duncombe Rae
Journal of Radiological Protection vol: 41 issue: 2 first page: 326 year: 2021
doi: 10.1088/1361-6498/abf950